2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Paul turns from defending his ministry to making much of the glories of the gospel centered life.

Paul’s main point of this paragraph is, The weakness of the vessels carrying the glorious gospel message give witness to the power of Christ, the source and substance of the gospel message!

The first thing he does in verse 7 is explain,

The Power of God in the Gospel

Paul begins by illustrating the,

a. Worth of the Gospel (7a)

7 But we have this treasure (7a)

This should cause us to ask what treasure?

John MacArthur explains, “The treasure in view here is the same as the “ministry” in 4:1. Both terms describe the glorious gospel message that the eternal God came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, and died on the cross and rose again to provide forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all who would repent and believe. The treasure is of incalculable worth, because “in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (pg. 140)

We see this treasure in verse 6, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Jesus taught a parable regarding this gospel treasure.

Matthew 13:44 ESV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The treasure that is worth more than anything else in the world.

The treasure that has been hidden, that has not been revealed.

The treasure that is worth giving up everything we own to purchase it.

The treasure that has been given to us.

The treasure of salvation through Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone.

Paul says we have this treasure? Who has this treasure, Paul and his gospel partners have it. But also those who have recieved this knowledge of light of Christ have this treasure.

He wants the church at Corinth to understand, the fact that you have been given this gospel light, since you have seen the glory of God in Jesus Christ, you have something more precious than gold, silver, or fine jewels. This knowledge of Christ has provided you with a treasure, that if only given to you by the grace, mercy, and steadfast love of God. Don’t squander it!

Not only is Paul communicating the worth of the gospel of Christ, he explains the,

b. Weakness of the vessel in which it is held. (7b)

He writes,

But we have this treasure in jars of clay,

Not many of us use jars of clay today, we may use some mason jars, but they are stronger than these vessels Paul mentions.

Colin Kruse writes, “Earthenware vessels were a commonplace in virtually every home in the ancient Middle East. They were inexpensive and easily broken. Unlike metal vessels (which could be repaired) or glass ones (which could be melted down and the material reused), once broken, earthenware vessels had to be discarded. They were thus cheap and of little intrinsic value.”

Kruse, C. G. (1987). 2 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 8, p. 106). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Paul has already wrote to the Corinthians,

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 ESV

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Now, I don’t think Paul is trying to say that we are of little intrinsic value. I think his point is ministers of the gospel are weak and easily broken. This fits the context of the passage.

We would have to admit, even though we have the knowledge of Christ and his gospel if we take our gaze off of him we can easily be broken. This fragility is both physical and spiritual. We know that physically we are breaking down, and our vessels are failing. However, if we don’t keep looking into the Scriptures seeking to know more about the worth of the treasure, we will slowly see our sanctification stunted, we will leave ourselves open to cracks in our spiritual armor.

However, Paul makes it clear that he is not highlighting our weakness regarding the gospel, he is highlighting something else.

The worth of the treasure, the weakness of the vessel, is to provide,

c. Witness to the Power of God (7c)

Why do we have this treasure? Why is the vessel so weak and fragile?

7c to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

God provides his people with the knowledge of the glory of Christ for one primary purpose, his own glory.

How does God show his glory?

By showing his surpassing, extraordinary, excess, power.

Paul say’s you are weak, don’t worry God is strong.

1 Corinthians 2:5 ESV

so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

2 Corinthians 13:4 ESV

For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

Ephesians 1:19 ESV

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

This pointing to the power of God is a consistent theme throughout the Scriptures. It is to make sure that his people not only believe in who He is, but it is also to increase their trust in what he is doing through them and for them.

Paul and his co-laborers in the gospel, as we have discussed are constantly being brought to a point of weakness and total dependance on God. Whether they are arrested, beaten, attacked, mocked, or just rejected it is a constant reminder that they understand that their weakness is for a purpose and that is to display God’s power. This is why the rejoice and sing hymns when they are locked in a jail sail. This is why Paul will stand and boldly witness before emperors, in the market place, and synagogues. It is because no matter what happens he trusts in the power of God in the midst of persecution.

How about us?

Do we recognize the worth of the gospel?

Do we recognize our weakness?

Do we provide witness to the surpassing power of God?

Here is the main point of Paul referring to himself as a jar of clay and pointing to the surpassing power of God in the ministry. Paul was a humble man, and his ministry was marked by humility. Not by weakness, but meekness and humility. He saw God as the source and sustaining power of his ministry and he wanted to make sure God got the glory.

The second truth Paul lays out is,

II. The Purpose of Affliction.

After Paul lays out the power of God as the hope of those who have been given the treasure of knowing Christ. He then points them to purpose of the affliction that a true gospel minister will face.

Honestly, I don’t know many American pastors who have took near the abuse, beatings, and persecution that Pauls has faced. But I have seen pastors attacked verbally and even seen things that make you go really?

For example, when we were in NC. The pastor of Good Hope Baptist has someone sneak up on his porch and leave human feces…Now I don’t know about you but talk about depravity, talk about spiritual, mental abuse. I know this weighed heavily on our pastor. Who knows what someone like this would do next. I have seen and experienced pastors lied about, slandered, and mocked. Look most of the time pastors let this roll off like water off a ducks back, but don’t think it doesn’t affect them. It causes you to lose trust in people, to if potentially become more private than you should be, to be less hospitable, to no put yourself out there like we should. It could and probably will get worse in this nation, but don’t think it is non-existent even today.

That brings us to the first thing Paul lays out about the purpose of affliction, there needs to be a,

a. Recognition of Affliction

Paul lays out a 4 fold description of affliction in verses 8-10

First he says,

8 We are afflicted in every way,

The word afflicted, means to cause to be troubled, oppress, afflict. It carries the idea of putting pressure upon, constricting, to press together, compress.

In other words, Paul is saying there is constant pressure troubling us. The walls seem like they are closing in on us. There is pressure coming from all sides.

God’s people, the jews despised Paul’s gospel preaching

Government hated Paul

Gentiles often rejected Paul

No matter where he turned people were pressing in on him! The pressure was great, and although Paul was greatly afflicted, he

but not crushed;

he did not let the pressure afflict him to the point of breaking and shattering. He was able to stand strong in the midst of the pressure not because of his own strength but because of the surpassing power of God. Although he was weak, God was strong! God has given him this gospel ministry. Paul recognized it was a the great privilege it was to be the fragile, dispensable vessel which carried this priceless, eternal treasure. Therefore, no matter was pressure and affliction came upon him he would not let it crush him because he knew it was the power of God that sustained Him for his service to Christ and his church!

Paul was not only under great pressure in gospel ministry, he was also,

perplexed, - to be in a confused state of mind, be at a loss, be in doubt, be uncertain (BDAG)

Here we have one of the greatest if not the greatest theologian, apostles, church planters, missionaries, and gospel ministers at all times saying he was perplexed, he was at a loss of what was going on around him. The rejection of the gospel message, the persecution of his ministers, the disillusionment brought on by the false teachers all no doubt cause him to ask why? Paul understood the depravity of man, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. But there were times even Paul wandered at they ways and wisdom of God. Even Paul had times being confused by what was happening around him,

but not driven to despair;

However, he did not let his lack of understanding weigh him down or doubt God’s perfection in his plan of redemption. He pressed on in the midst of pressure, he didn’t let being perplexed drive him to despair and to a point of lacking hope. He had full confidence in the surpassing power of God in the midst of trial and trouble.

How about me and you. I don’t know if there could be a greater more encouraging statement of faith in the midst of our current situation in our world.

Why is this pandemic causing so much confusion? Should we were a mask or not? Should we gather or not? Should we get a vaccine or not?

Why is the political situation in our country such a dumpster fire? The democrats are driving us to socialism? The liberals are supporting slaughtering babies and the GLBTQ…agenda. The Republicans are scared to take a stand. Who is telling the truth?

What about our own denomination? There seems to be a liberal drift? They are promoting godless ideologies? Our seminaries are not standing on the truths they are proclaiming?

I am perplexed and confused? But I am not in despair!

Next Paul takes it to a place we have not been, at least to the extent Paul has, he was being,

9 persecuted,

This specific greek word dioko means to harass someone, to pursue, or hunt someone.

Paul’s enemies did not just persecute him by spreading lies about him, they did not persecute him by talking behind his back, they actually sought to hunt him down and quiet him. They pursued him as the prey that they might harm him and put him to death. But even in being hunted down to be harmed, he knew he was,

but not forsaken;

In the midst of his persecution Paul never doubted the presence of God. He had faith that God would not forsake him, even if he was hunted down and persecuted to the point of death, he was confident that Christ was with him, that the Spirit would sustain Him and his heavenly Father would receive Him!

Even if he was,

struck down,

Paul says, my enemies by pursue me, hunt me down, and even strike me down. They can beat me down, knock me out, and even kill me. But I will,

but not destroyed;

They can take my life on this earth, but God will raise me up. They can slay me yet Christ will snatch me up. They may take my breath , but the Spirit of God will breath new life into me.

Scott Hafemann explains, “The contrasts of 4:8–9 underscore that during this evil age it is endurance in the midst of adversity, not immediate, miraculous deliverance from it, that reveals most profoundly the power of God.”

Hafemann, S. J. (2000). 2 Corinthians (p. 184). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

For to me to live is Christ, but to die is gain. Therefore I might be pressured, perplexed, persecuted, and pursued, but I will not be crushed, confused to a point of despair, cut away from the grace of God, or cut down. I will continue to serve my master in the midst of this persecution and affliction whether I fully understand everything in the world around me even if it costs me my life.

Why would Paul be so committed to carrying on this gospel ministry? He is about to give us the,

b. Reason for the Affliction

Look with me at verse 10,

10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,

Paul says ultimately, I am living out this life of suffering imitating the life of my Savior. I have hope in affliction because Christ was afflicted. I am not driven to despair in the midst of confusion because Christ died to destroy despair. I may be pursued, but so was Jesus, I may be struck down, but Christ was crucified. I will not be forsaken because Christ was!

This is consistent truth that Paul teaches about his life as an apostle.

Romans 8:36 ESV

As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

1 Corinthians 15:31 ESV

I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

2 Corinthians 11:23 ESV

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

Paul constantly pointed to the suffering he and faithful men and women of God would face as they sought to serve Christ and were conformed into His image. The more the apostles preached Christ and the more they lived like Christ the more they carried in their body the death of Jesus.

That is why he wrote to Timothy,

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

If you live like Christ you will constantly deny yourself, die to self, and the death of Jesus will be evident in you.

Paul goes on to say we gladly share in the sufferings of Christ,

so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Here is the reason for the persecution of faithful gospel ministers…

We suffer so that Christ may also be seen in us.

We carry the constant affliction along with this gospel treasure in order show people that even in death we have hope in the resurrected life of Christ!

We have the only living Savior who promises he will return and gather his bride to be with him forever.

We have the hope of a final resurrection and glorification because Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is sitting on his throne ruling and reigning right now!

We carry this body of the death of Jesus because we know one day the Father is going to say, go get them Son. He is going to stand up, saddle up his white horse, and storm this earth with His saints who have been slain for their steadfast gospel service!

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The reason Paul humbly, carried the body of Christ death was because he wholly believed in the reality of Christ reign and return. He could carry this suffering in his body was because he believed in the bodily return of Christ.

He suffered so that he could show the certainty of salvation through his living Savior.

What Christ are we showing people by our lives?

The one who it the eternal Son of God?

The one who is the lamb of God?

The one who is the propitiation of God?

The one who is the radiance of the glory of God?

The one who suffered for the people of God?

The one who will return and rule the nations of God?

The on who will tread the winepress of the wrath of God?

The one who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords?

The reason for affliction is clear,

Charles Hodge writes, “the life of every believer is a manifestation of the life of Christ, for it is not we that live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20); and it was the same with the apostolic life of Paul.”

Packer, J. I. (1995). Introduction. In A. McGrath (Ed.), 2 Corinthians (2 Co 4:10). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

The manifestation and demonstration of the life of Christ is not only the reason for affliction of believers, it points to the,

c. Reality of Affliction

I say that because Paul almost repeats himself verbatim in verse 11.

11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

It is like Paul is saying just so you heard it in the back, faithful servants will be pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and punched carrying the marks of Jesus death, always, all the time, everywhere you go.

The beauty of it is that while you are walking around bloody, beaten, and bruised at the same time you be making it obvious to others that Christ is king, you are his servant, and your hope is in the good news of the person and work of Christ. Your confidence is in the Spirit conceived, sinless life of Christ and the sacrificial, substitutionary, wrath satisfying death of Christ. Your will demonstrate that your life will be reflecting your assurance of the return of the risen, ruling, and reigning life of Christ.

The addition to this verse is Paul adds in our mortal flesh. He wants the church to see the difference between the weakness of our bodies, the clay pots that carry this treasure and the absolute power and glory of the the gospel message of Christ that we carry in our body.

Our weakness is used by Christ to show the surpassing power of God as we demonstrate the majestic life of Christ!

And we can’t miss what he says in verse 12,

2 Corinthians 4:12 ESV

So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Paul says this death we carry that is at work in us, is so that this life may be in work in you. The reason Paul was willing to lay down his life for Christ as Christ, the reason he was willing to fight these false teachers and “super apostles” was for the church.

Colossians 1:24 ESV

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

Paul loved Christ so much he was not only willing to die for Him, but he was willing to die for his bride. Think about it how easy would it be for Paul to just say, I am tired of dealing with these Corinthians…I have loved them, taught them, shepherded them, and all they do is gossip, back bite, and reject my counsel, I am done.

But is that what he did? No, he kept writing, kept preaching, kept sending help all so that they might live lives that manifested the life of Jesus!

John Gill explains, “his meaning is, ours is the sorrow, the trouble, the affliction, and death itself, yours is the gain, the joy, the pleasure, and life; what we get by preaching the Gospel are reproach, persecution, and death; but this Gospel we preach at such expense is the savour of life unto life to you, and is the means of maintaining spiritual life in your souls, and of nourishing you up unto eternal life; and which is no small encouragement to us to go on in our work with boldness and cheerfulness: or these words regard the different state and condition of the apostle, and other ministers, and of the Corinthians; the one were in adversity, and the other in prosperity.”

Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 781). London: Mathews and Leigh.

I love what Josh said last week, when he said we ought to love one another, protect one another, fight for one anther. Why?

So that the life of Jesus might be manifested in us!